How to Leverage Martyn’s Law for Seamless Premises and Event Security

Have you heard about the pending Martyn's Law on the horizon for public venues and event spaces in the UK? This compelling legislation is named in honour of Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life alongside 21 other people in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. It’s a giant step forward in the nation’s collective efforts to level up safely and securely in public places. But, what does it mean to owners and managers of public venues and other businesses?

The Challenge Martyn’s Law Aims to Address

Protect duty - Martyn's Law is designed to ensure venues and other public business premises become safer spaces of enjoyment, community, and commerce. It mandates owners and managers to proactively assess and mitigate risks of terror attacks.

For this purpose, the law calls for recognition and identification of potential threats, plus the implementation of effective measures to prevent them. The goal is clear - to protect lives and maintain public confidence in the safety of our communal spaces.

With royal assent for Martyn's Law fast approaching, it’s critical business owners, venues and event organisers are prepared.

What Premises are Affected and Why?

The statistics speak volumes about the necessity for this legislation. The UK has experienced 14 domestic terror attacks since 2017. In addition, law enforcement has successfully intervened in 39 further late-stage plots.

All the same, security measures often take a backseat in the absence of legal mandates. As a result, security practices remain inconsistent at best. Unsurprisingly, public consultation revealed strong support for Martyn's Law. In fact, a resounding 70% of respondents agreed on the need for venues to implement appropriate security measures.

But, ‘venues’ is a loose term. The question is, what’s the actual definition in terms of the new protect duty?

In response, the government has stipulated venues capable of hosting 100+ people will be required to proactively improve security and readiness in the event of future terrorist attacks. As you can imagine, this includes a broad range of businesses, including but not limited to:

• Entertainment venues
• Hospitality venues
• Sports grounds
• Places of worship
• Educational establishments

With such a mixed bag of businesses under the wider umbrella, there are many and varied concerns around feasibility and ultimate compliance.

Implementation Without Unnecessary Burden

Questions raised by multiple business types have led to an updated consultation acknowledging one cap doesn’t fit all.

“Simple steps save lives. Martyn’s Law will help protect the British public from terrorism, and make sure public premises are better prepared in the event of a terror attack,” explained Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, in the Home Office article Six-week Martyn’s Law consultation launched. He added; “I want to make sure that our proposals are balanced and proportionate.”

It’s good news for venues and business owners committed to Martyn’s Law (Protect Duty), but apprehensive about delivery in practice. As a result, many are turning to professional premises and event security firms who understand the complexities and challenges of compliance.

Indeed, transitional support is in demand from security experts with vast operational experience and law enforcement backgrounds, for tasks like risk assessments and security strategies.

That said, Martyn's Law is more meaningful than rules, regulations, and red tape. The safety and wellbeing of the public is at its heart. Accordingly, venues and premises will need to follow specific guidelines based on their capacity, such as:

• Conducting in-depth security assessments
• Compiling emergency action plans
• Training staff at larger places

At Dynamic Security Services, we're here to guide you through every step, ensuring your venue or business is a safe space for everyone. Want to know more about our market-leading premises and event security services? Don't wait until the last minute. Get in touch to start future-proofing your venue today with our expert guidance and support.